Blue, NYC, 2005
A sporadic journal and samples of artwork from photo shoots by jackson
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Thursday, May 26 - Photo shoots with George and Blue
I'm completely exhausted, had a great day doing photo shoots. My first was with George, a hot tattooed papichulo, and my second shoot was with my favorite model and current muse, Blue.
George then, many sleeps ago at The Roxy, NYC.
Ironically yesterday I happened to find the above photo that I took of George years ago at Roxy. I remember asking him then if he'd be interested in coming to my studio to do a shoot but never heard back from him. I met him again this Monday, however I didn't recognize him at View Bar where he's bartending. This time however when I asked him to pose because of his tattoos he called me the next day and booked a time. And am I ever glad he did. In fact, we had such a good time and George is such a character that I've asked him to come back this weekend and shoot again.
With Blue I was going to continue the recreation of an earlier shot from Blue in The Kitchen series except this time with more of a Gregory Crewdson twist. However I didn't get out to buy the prop (a large fresh fish) that I wanted to use so instead we just went off and tried some new ideas. However when Blue suggested doing a shot with the Mickey Mouse ears, I knew we were on to something since I had purchased the Mickey Mouse gloves at Disneyland years and years (I'm talking probably 15) ago and had always wanted to shoot a nude with someone wearing the ears and gloves. Needless to say, Bluw was ablsoutely my man for the job, I love the end result.
George then, many sleeps ago at The Roxy, NYC.
Ironically yesterday I happened to find the above photo that I took of George years ago at Roxy. I remember asking him then if he'd be interested in coming to my studio to do a shoot but never heard back from him. I met him again this Monday, however I didn't recognize him at View Bar where he's bartending. This time however when I asked him to pose because of his tattoos he called me the next day and booked a time. And am I ever glad he did. In fact, we had such a good time and George is such a character that I've asked him to come back this weekend and shoot again.
With Blue I was going to continue the recreation of an earlier shot from Blue in The Kitchen series except this time with more of a Gregory Crewdson twist. However I didn't get out to buy the prop (a large fresh fish) that I wanted to use so instead we just went off and tried some new ideas. However when Blue suggested doing a shot with the Mickey Mouse ears, I knew we were on to something since I had purchased the Mickey Mouse gloves at Disneyland years and years (I'm talking probably 15) ago and had always wanted to shoot a nude with someone wearing the ears and gloves. Needless to say, Bluw was ablsoutely my man for the job, I love the end result.
Monday, May 23, 2005
Sunday, May 23 - Tom of Finland Erotic Art Fair Closing Party
The Brazilian bombshell, Alex, at SBNY
After a fun night at SBNY for the closing party of the Erotic Art Fair, with special thanx to the incredibly sexy and attentive bartender, Alex, I headed home early (well shortly after midnight, which is very early for me) because I had a 10 a.m. photo shoot with Steve before catching his flight back to LA.
Trai La Trash, Scotty The Blue Bunny and Duch at Trannyshack at SBNY
Out on the sidewalk outside of SBNY, I stood for a moment talking with Scotty The Blue Bunny and promised to send him a brilliant photo I had taken of him at Avalon/Limelight a year or so back. Then as I was leaving this is what I heard:
Scotty The Blue Bunny yelling down the block to bitter fag:
"I could just stab you in the heart with a knife."
bitter fag now walking alongside of me:
"How much do they pay him to wear that?"
me:
"I don't know."
bitter fag:
"Well isn't he your boyfriend?"
me:
"See ... now you've used up your usefulness to me, and I could just stab you in the heart as well."
bitter fag silently turns corner and heads out of sight.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Tuesday, May 3 - Photo Shoot with Carlos
I realize that it's been a while since I've posted a new shoot. It's not that there haven't been any, I guess I've just been running a little wild, socializing with new and old friends, and not getting around to it. But I will go back and make sure all the shoots are posted.
Now, Carlos. Once again this is someone that I've wanted to shoot for some time. He has an amazing physique, even more amazing when you consider this hot Cuban is 50 years old. Considerable dedication to maintaining what so many photographers have come to appreciate. Carlos, a delightful and interesting man to talk to, loves being in front of the camera. He has immense understanding for what the photographer is looking for. In fact, his insights are so keen that he is an aspiring and talented amateur photographer himself. This, the first shoot we did was very simple but I was especially pleased with the classic beauty we were able to capture, especially the reclining nude which was so reminiscent of the early erotica produced in the 1940s and 50s. I have no doubt that I will be working with Carlos again very soon.
reclining nude, Carlos, Harlem NYC 2005
Here is the sweet email he sent me following our shoot:
Now, Carlos. Once again this is someone that I've wanted to shoot for some time. He has an amazing physique, even more amazing when you consider this hot Cuban is 50 years old. Considerable dedication to maintaining what so many photographers have come to appreciate. Carlos, a delightful and interesting man to talk to, loves being in front of the camera. He has immense understanding for what the photographer is looking for. In fact, his insights are so keen that he is an aspiring and talented amateur photographer himself. This, the first shoot we did was very simple but I was especially pleased with the classic beauty we were able to capture, especially the reclining nude which was so reminiscent of the early erotica produced in the 1940s and 50s. I have no doubt that I will be working with Carlos again very soon.
reclining nude, Carlos, Harlem NYC 2005
Here is the sweet email he sent me following our shoot:
Hey Jackson:
Thank you very much for so many amazing photos but also for the wonderful experience... I always learn a lot by standing in front of a camera and definitely today's shooting will influence my creativity on my future work as an amateur photographer.
It was a pleasure modeling for you... I don't have to tell you that you can call me anytime you want for more...
Take care,
Carlos
Check my BigMuscle profile
http://www.bigmuscle.com/profile.phtml?uid=NYCuban
Monday, May 02, 2005
Monday, May 2 - dj Aaron Elvis
Prior to doing a private commission for a wonderful gentleman, Augusten, (who was so intriguing to talk to since he was personal friends with numerous photographers in 70s and 80s including the legendary Robert Mapplethorpe), I fired off a few shots of my roommate dj Aaron Elvis for him to use with his Top 10 music List which will be published in NEXT magazine this friday. Of course, I couldn't leave well enough alone and had to play with one of the shots in photoshop.
dj Aaron Elvis 2005 © jacksonphotografix.com
dj Aaron Elvis 2005 © jacksonphotografix.com
dj Aaron Elvis 2005 © jacksonphotografix.com
dj Aaron Elvis 2005 © jacksonphotografix.com
Monday, April 18, 2005
Monday, April 18 - Good News & The Itchy Palm
Had a really nice afternoon having coffee and lots of laughs with my best friend here in NYC, Teshonda and her daughter Sasha. Sasha is three now and a remarkably beautiful little girl and such a princess too. She's a typical little girl and can turn the taps on in a second's notice until she gets her way, then that huge smile returns. As I said to Teshonda, she's getting everything back in spades with this child. Needless to say Teshonda responded with "Oh no you didn't".
Teshonda and Sasha, Soul Food Restaurant, Harlem, 2005
After leaving Teshonda & Sasha, walking home, my right palm started to itch. So far that is a guaranteed sign that unexpected money is coming my way. I know this sounds ridiculous and superstitious but it is yet to be wrong. Case in point: I got home and received a call from Seattle, that both my photographs that had been selected from over 900 entries as part of the 2005 Seattle Erotic Arts Festival had sold in exhibition. Which is great news -- hopefully it'll give me some leverage for participation in future shows there and elsewhere. Also it'll buy me that new Nikon D70 (insert ear to ear grin here).
I must say that it was the intensity and charisma of the model Angelo, who was the subject of both shots, that made those two images what they were. Neither would have been nearly as powerful with any other model and for that I thank him more than he knows. He now resides in Barcelona and not so secretly, I long for the day that I will be able to do another shoot with him.
Kissed By An Angel, Harlem, 2003
Tango d'Angelo, Harlem, 2003
Teshonda and Sasha, Soul Food Restaurant, Harlem, 2005
After leaving Teshonda & Sasha, walking home, my right palm started to itch. So far that is a guaranteed sign that unexpected money is coming my way. I know this sounds ridiculous and superstitious but it is yet to be wrong. Case in point: I got home and received a call from Seattle, that both my photographs that had been selected from over 900 entries as part of the 2005 Seattle Erotic Arts Festival had sold in exhibition. Which is great news -- hopefully it'll give me some leverage for participation in future shows there and elsewhere. Also it'll buy me that new Nikon D70 (insert ear to ear grin here).
I must say that it was the intensity and charisma of the model Angelo, who was the subject of both shots, that made those two images what they were. Neither would have been nearly as powerful with any other model and for that I thank him more than he knows. He now resides in Barcelona and not so secretly, I long for the day that I will be able to do another shoot with him.
Kissed By An Angel, Harlem, 2003
Tango d'Angelo, Harlem, 2003
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Sunday, April 17 - Me Be Smart, Me Thinks.
Took an IQ test this morning online: here was my results.
Your IQ score is 140
This number is based on a scientific formula that compares how many questions you answered correctly on the Classic IQ Test relative to others.
Your Intellectual Type is Visionary Philosopher. This means you are highly intelligent and have a powerful mix of skills and insight that can be applied in a variety of different ways. Like Plato, your exceptional math and verbal skills make you very adept at explaining things to others — and at anticipating and predicting patterns.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Wednesday, April 13 - Artists and Prostitutes
Had breakfast with my new pal Blake at 2nd Avenue Deli (a lot the lights are burnt out and all that remain are 2 N A - which if you read phonetically becomes "tuna", stupid yes but it made me laugh). After pounding bagels, cream cheese, and blintzes right into the left ventricle, we proceeded down to the Dietch Gallery on Wooster street to take in the David LaChapelle retrospective "Artists and Prostitutes" (soon to be a book) that closes this Saturday. I had seen most of the 500 photos which were projected on 3 oversized screens.
Amanda Lapore in performance at Marquee (and yes, she's naked), NYC 2005
What absolutely killed me though was the Heatherette video that featured a crazed Amanda Lapore (who I've shot twice in the last week) applying pink lipstick (to her entire body) and then riding along the freeway as a hood ornament. Genius!
Something else that was weirdly appropriate is that while we (there was only 3 or 4 of us in the gallery) were watching the show, an acrobat much like those from Cirque du Soleil or Anti-Gravity, came in proceed to rehearse an entire routine on a huge strip of fabric/cloth that was suspended from the ceiling. Go figure!
Amanda Lapore in performance at Marquee (and yes, she's naked), NYC 2005
What absolutely killed me though was the Heatherette video that featured a crazed Amanda Lapore (who I've shot twice in the last week) applying pink lipstick (to her entire body) and then riding along the freeway as a hood ornament. Genius!
Something else that was weirdly appropriate is that while we (there was only 3 or 4 of us in the gallery) were watching the show, an acrobat much like those from Cirque du Soleil or Anti-Gravity, came in proceed to rehearse an entire routine on a huge strip of fabric/cloth that was suspended from the ceiling. Go figure!
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Monday, April 11 - my Blue day
Spent the day photographing and getting to know an incredible model, named Blue. One of the good things about being a paparazzi-style photographer covering NYC nightlife is that you never know who you will cross paths with. That's just the case with Blue. I met him at Boysroom (a lower East Side club) last week when I was there shooting for NEXT magazine. As I say to everyone "I have a good eye!" (just the one actually as the other one doesn't really work since I damaged the cornea several years ago. There's no real vision there, well there is but, it's like looking through a piece of Saran wrap coated in vaseline) and I knew instantly that he'd make beautiful images. What I didn't know at that time was how connected and quickly Blue and I would bond. He's very complex, very talented, very creative and very real. I couldn't help but like him. He's a former fashion model, with a "look" and physique that truly inspires me. The more shots I took of him the more shots I wanted to take. I can see this man becoming my new muse. And from all accounts the feeling is reciprocated as he expressed the desire to work together extensively. We have another shoot set for Thursday, April 14.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Thursday, April 7 -
Woke up this morning with a miserable cough and totally congested. I'm not sure if it's one of those change of season colds or if this is allergies and an indicator of what I have to look forward to with hayfever this year, in which case I'm really in for it. I cancelled all my shoots and appointments and spent the day overdosing on juice and liquids. What fun! Woo hoo.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Wednesday, April 6 - Things That Make You Go Ha Ha
These are some of the things that made me smile today:
Being able to walk around outside without a coat.
The headline on the New York Post: "PUSSY" BUSTED
Finding a great little coffee shop on the Lower East Side called: 88 Orchard
Watching the devious little six or seven year old Afrikaner (blue black skin) girl on the subway secretly apply shiny lip gloss to her younger brother's lips while he rested his head on his Dad's shoulder. Then she smiled a most devilish, mischievous grin revealing that she had absolutely no front teeth.
Reading the entries on the Fetus Spears blog. The About Me section is perhaps the funniest of all.
Being able to walk around outside without a coat.
The headline on the New York Post: "PUSSY" BUSTED
Finding a great little coffee shop on the Lower East Side called: 88 Orchard
Watching the devious little six or seven year old Afrikaner (blue black skin) girl on the subway secretly apply shiny lip gloss to her younger brother's lips while he rested his head on his Dad's shoulder. Then she smiled a most devilish, mischievous grin revealing that she had absolutely no front teeth.
Reading the entries on the Fetus Spears blog. The About Me section is perhaps the funniest of all.
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